Russia
100,000 forced from homes in Kazakhstan by “biblical” flooding linked to climate change
Rapid snowmelt amid sudden weather change, combined with heavy rains and already waterlogged ground prove a disastrous combination.
The EU is preparing a new, fourteenth package of sanctions
The EU is preparing a new fourteenth package of sanctions that is slated for adoption in the coming months, but is unlikely to introduce any new products and will focus mostly on enforcing the existing thirteen rounds of sanctions.
EBRD announces profit of €2.1bn in 2023
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a significant rebound in its financial performance, recording a robust profit of €2.1bn for the year 2023, up from losses of €1.1bn in 2022.
Kremlin tries to link Hunter Biden to financing of Moscow’s Crocus City Hall terrorist massacre
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation into the financing of terrorism in Russia on April 9, with focus on a board of directors that included the son of US President Joe Biden.
Yakunin wins final appeal in drone flying over Svalbard legal saga
Norway’s Halogaland Court of Appeal concluded a legal saga surrounding British-Russian businessman Andrey Yakunin, the son of Russia’s sanctioned former head of Russian Railways, refusing the prosecution's appeal.
Russia sees rare protest after flooding devastates city
Residents of the Russian city of Orsk have taken to the streets to demand swift action and compensation following devastating flooding that has left the city submerged in water.
Where Nato has an enhanced forward presence
On Monday, 8 April, Germany sent an advance team of 20 soldiers to Lithuania, laying the groundwork for the recently discussed establishment of a permanent brigade in the Nato country, Statista reports.
Court lifts EU sanctions on Russian billionaires Fridman and Aven
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has satisfied the lawsuit filed by Russian billionaires Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman of Alfa Group.
Belarus the latest European country to suspend the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the suspension of Belarus’ participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on April 5, as Belarus continues to militarise and keep its ties with Russia tight.
UK Foreign Minister Cameron meets with former US President Trump to appeal for aid to Ukraine
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron met with former US President Donald Trump on April 9 and told him that US continued support of Ukraine was “in US interests,” Ukrayinska Pravda reports.
Europe exits the winter heating season with record gas stocks
The EU has exited the heating season with a record volume of gas in storage, following another mild winter and as a result of reduced industrial demand and a concerted effort by policymakers to boost stockpiles.
The ruble overtakes the yuan as Russia's main currency for settling international trade deals
The ruble is rising to become the main currency for settling Russia’s foreign trade payments, reducing the role of the Chinese yuan in the process, the Central Bank of Russia reported on April 8.
Leading emerging markets move rapidly up World Bank’s PPP GDP and FDI confidence rankings
The world’s leading Emerging Markets are moving rapidly up the World Bank’s latest GDP rankings in PPP (purchase power parity) terms as well as the annual foreign direct investment confidence ranking.
Russia asks Kazakhstan for emergency fuel supply
Russia has requested that Kazakhstan be ready to provide it with 100,000 tonnes of gasoline in the event of shortages.
Crocus attackers say in interrogation videos they were heading to Ukraine
The four men accused by Moscow of being behind March’s deadly terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue have said they were promised safe passage to Ukraine and a financial award there.
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Russian federal budget deficit falls to $6.7bn in 1Q24 on the back of higher oil prices
In 1Q24 the federal budget deficit shrank to RUB607bn ($6.7bn), according to a preliminary estimate of the Ministry of Finance, after oil and gas revenues soared by 80% y/y.
Russia declares federal emergency as flooding forces thousands to evacuate homes
Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes following severe floods in the Russian city of Orsk. Orsk, in Russia’s Orenburg region, is close to the Kazakh border, around 1,800 km east of Moscow.
Summer starts as EU gas tanks start to fill again
Winter is over, as the EU gas tanks switch from withdrawals to filling mode again in preparation for next winter. Injection into the gas tanks started on April 1, a week earlier than in 2023 and started at an all-time high record level of 59.3% full.
Profits of Coca Cola’s Russian division quadruple, despite promise to pull out
Coca-Cola promised to pull out of Russia, but all it has done is drop its famous brand for a new local one and moved ownership to a Russia-based operating company
Slovak heritage institution co-operates with Russian counterpart headed by spy chief
Matica slovenska continues to cooperate with Russian Historical Society headed by Sergey Naryshkin, investigative website reports.